Issues
An Open Letter to University Presidents
8 min read
5 min read
Here’s how you can make a difference.
The Internet and social media have brought about significant changes in our world, akin to the impact of industrial and agricultural revolutions. With a simple swipe, you can share ideas, images, and videos across the globe. Although experts argue about the prevalence of bots on social media, billions of real users engage on various platforms like Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, and more.
Social media has become a modern-day town square, where viral campaigns can rival mass demonstrations. You've seen the power of such campaigns in real-life movements like #MeToo and the so-called Arab Spring. Unfortunately, this potential hasn't gone unnoticed by those with malicious intent, including groups like Hamas, which has used social media for propaganda and misinformation.
One disturbing example occurred during the last Shabbat when Hamas terrorists documented their massacre and shared them on social media, likely as an attempt to induce fear and weaken the spirits of Israelis.
The outcome was quite the opposite, as it brought Israelis together, internally uniting them against a common threat, and externally generating sympathy for Israel.
This revolting act was transformed by pro-Israel activists into a successful online campaign that condemned Hamas as an ISIS-like group. It also highlighted the grim reality that it was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust. Amazingly, both of these points found their way into President Biden’s speech a couple of days ago, demonstrating the reach and influence of social media on policy makers and elected officials.
Pro-Israel messages shared by influencers, journalists, and decision-makers have a tangible impact. The more support Israel garners, the more time it has to achieve its military goals on the ground. As footage of Israel's military operations and collateral damage will surely surface, foreign decision-makers will face increasing pressure to balance their constituencies' expectations with Israel's needs.
Finally, the heartwarming videos of support rallies and prayer sessions, footage of soldiers' resilience, and civil initiatives to support affected families are immensely impactful. They not only boost the spirits of the Israeli home front but also enhance the soldiers' ability to defend their country.
Social media is a simple, powerful way in which you can contribute to Israel's cause and to the current war. Remember that your goal is to maximize the exposure of pro-Israel and anti-Hamas content and minimize the exposure of the opposite, and here are six pointers to make more impact using your social media accounts:
Even without boots on the ground, social media activism meaningfully contributes to helping secure Israel (and incidentally the free world), and we can all become virtual soldiers for our beloved country.
BIO: Ohad Merlin (31) is an analyst team leader at the Argyle Consulting Group, a web research company which specializes in social media, online campaigns and hate speech.
Good 8 fo. I am not on Facebook, X, or any social media, just email. Any place I can post or submit poems I write to encourage and support our forces, and civilians who have been injured ?
Thank you for this information
Is it just fine to copy and paste? Or is it better if it is original?